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Avg. Rating: 4.5
Don't editors use blue pencils anymore?
Overall, this is an entertaining book that's made hard to read by the author's unbelievable overuse of the word "smirk.' Every character in this novel smirks, sometimes several times in a chapter, often for no apparent reason. David Mack is a talented author who is ill-served by his editor. Most authors have literary "ticks" of one kind or another -- a tendency to overuse certain grammatical constructions, an over-reliance on a particular narrative style, sometimes just the irritating overuse of a particular verb or adverb or adjective. A good editor catches these ticks, makes the author aware of them, and eliminates them from the final book. David Mack has a particularly annoying tick: he's in love with the word "smirk." His characters smirk at each other, smirk at random thoughts, they've smirked, they eye with a smirk, they nod with a smirk, they react with a smirk -- you get the idea. Beyond overuse, the word is misapplied. A "smirk," according to the dictionary, is a smile "invoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness." Mack has characters smirk at friends, at superior officers, at the world in general, with no apparent awareness that the recipient of a smirk would probably respond by punching the smirker right in the kisser. A smirk is not friendly, it's not idle, and it's not a place-holder for some other, more appropriate expression of, let's say, dismay, disapproval, acquiescence, agreement, pleasure, friendliness, bonhomie, boredom, joy, amusement, bemusement, or any of a thousand other emotions possibly more suitable to the given context.
As I say, a good editor would have made Mack aware of this tick, and hopefully, he would have addressed it. I haven't read any of his other books, yet (though I intend to -- my argument here is not with Mack as a writer, only with this particular aspect of his writing) -- but given that he's published several other novels before this one, I doubt that he's even aware his writing has this problem. He's being poorly served by the editors at Star Trek books. I hope he read this review: David, you can do better! Drop the smirks!
The origin of the Borg
This saga is one I have been waiting for for a long time. It gives us a glimpse how the Borg started. The three book series leads to all the events in the current series of novels. David Mack has all the characters portrayed just as they would on the TV series. I liked so much, in fact I didn't want story to end.
The story crosses over from Captain Archer's time to the present era with Picard. Not wanting to give away too much, I have to say this one set of books is good for repeated readings. There is so much in the way of character development and action; it would have made a terrific movie trilogy.
I have to wonder Paramount doesn't want to return Star Trek back on the air again. It's not like there would not be millions of fans ready to embrace the show again.
Star Trek Destiny: Gods of Night
1st Book in the Destiny Series; very good. Try not to get lost between Stardates and the 3 different crews. This is a collection of Star Fleet Officers from Star Trek The Next Generation, Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Star Trek Voyager.
Best Star Trek Series in a long time
Except for a couple books about Q I read as a child that have a fond place in my heart for sentimental reasons, this is the best book and series in the Star Trek universe.
David Mack is superb. Read this book. But dont waste your time ordering one at a time, order the whole series right now.
So So
I've read easily over a hundred Star Trek novels throughout the years, mostly while during my college years. I continue to read them here and there when I get time. In general, I love the characters and find them a good read, or I wouldn't keep reading.
With this book, I think the overall story is good, but I do have some criticisms. First, there are just too many characters. I ended up caring for none of them really. Some character development would have been nice, but with three crews it's a bit hard to find the time I suppose.
Another criticism was the Riker and Troy story line. Some parts of it had me rolling my eyes. It's not that I don't have sympathy for the characters dilemna, but rather I found his reaction to be out of character and hence unbelievable. Troi's behavior on the other had seemed consistent with her character but equally annoying.
And last, while some of the writing was good, I thought it was a bit inconsistent with some passages seeming amateurish.
These are just my opinions however. No offense to anyone who found it five out of five stars. I will download the preview for the next book in the series to my iphone before deciding whether or not to buy it.
Incidentally, this is the third disappointing Star Trek book I've read in the last two months. Too bad.
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